My City Wellness Winter 2022

My Wellness

New Year’s Resolution: Treat Your Feet Better! BY SHAWN L. REISER, DPM, FACFAS

So, you got through the decorating, shop- ping, parties and traveling for the holidays. You did a lot of walking, dancing and standing and while having all of this fun, how happy were your feet? Half of Americans report experienc- ing foot pain at some point in their lives, and no one wants to start the New Year with injuries that slow us down. Let’s talk about some ways to start 2022 with healthy (and happy) feet. Moisturize. Michigan winters are noto- rious for drying the skin on our entire bodies, including our feet. Moisturize daily to help avoid dry, cracked and irritated skin. Massage. Foot-rubs not only feel good, but they’re also a great way to release tension and refresh skin after long days on your feet. Taking a few minutes to massage your feet at the end of the day is a great way to relax and de-stress. Exercise your feet. Stretching is a good way to avoid muscle cramping. Stave o toe cramps by raising, point- ing and curling your toes for ve seconds (repeat ten times.)

Rotating your ankles can also help relax your feet. To loosen ankle joints, cup your heel and turn each ankle slowly ve times. Pedicure properly. Whether you do it yourself or go to a salon, be sure your pedi- cure is done properly. Never use a razor to remove dead skin; opt for a good pumice stone, instead. Persistent foot pain can be an indication of injury or illness. If you experience foot pain, let a podiatrist help you. Use toenail clippers with a straight edge to cut nails straight across, and push cuticles back rather than cutting them. Wear smart shoes. When doing activities such as shopping, traveling and cook- ing, ditch the high heels and wear comfortable shoes with good arch support and a padded sole. Check out the American Podiatric Medical Association’s website (apma.org) for a list of shoes that have the Seal of Ap- proval for promoting foot health.

If you keep your feet in good shoes for most of the time, then you’ll be able to wear those stilettos on special occasions. Raise your legs. Feet and ankles can swell from sitting too long in one po- sition, or if you’ve been on your feet all day. To reduce swelling, sit with your legs elevated. Get help. Feet shouldn’t hurt all the time! Persistent foot pain can be an indication of injury or illness. If you experience foot pain, let a podiatrist help you. ®

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About the Author Dr. Shawn L. Reiser earned her B.A. in economics from the University of Mich- igan, Ann Arbor in 1998. After under- graduate work, she

remained in Ann Arbor and worked for a consulting company for one year before deciding to pursue a career in medi- cine. She attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadel- phia, PA where she graduated summa cum laude in 2003. After graduation, she completed a three-year residency in foot and ankle surgery at Graduate Hospital (now University of Pennsylva- nia Hospital) also in Philadelphia. Dr. Reiser is certified by both the Ameri- can Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). She joined the Community Podiatry Group in 2006.

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